FM told: It's time to fight for Fergusons

OPEN LETTER SOS: SAVE OUR SHIPYARD

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JOHN Swinney has been urged to "fight for Fergusons" by directly awarding a CalMac ferry replacement contract to the embattled shipyard.

The demand comes in a letter from community leaders and trade unions to the First Minister calling for a replacement for the ageing Lord of the Isles ferry to be built in Port Glasgow.

The campaign has been organised by the GMB, supported by Inverclyde Council leader Stephen McCabe and Greenock MSP Stuart McMillan.

Fergusons was nationalised in 2019 after it came close to collapse while building two CalMac ferries, the Glen Sannox and Glen Rosa.

They were ordered in 2015 but design changes, staffing shortages and boardroom turmoil has meant the Glen Rosa has still to enter service.

Massive cost overruns led many to fear the yard will not survive in the medium term unless it secures fresh orders.